Apparatus for handling loose material



Dec. 9,1924 1,518,184

C. E. DAVIS APPARATUS FOR HANDLING LOOSE MATERIAL Original Filed July1921 :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 air-- MENTOR a/zazcs flavclfi @mmlu? M ATM Dec.1924- I 1,518,184

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Dec. 1924. 1,518,184

7 c:., E. DAVIS APPARATUS FOR HANDLING LOOSE MATERIAL Original Fil y 29,1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

PATENT 1 OFFICE.

UNITED STATES CHARLES E. DAVIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TOGOODMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING LOOSE MATERIAL.

Application filed July 29, 1921, Serial No. 488,333. Renewed May 3,1924.

To (1 whom it may canoe m:

Be it known that I, CHAnLns E. DAvIs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented an Apparatus for Handling Loose Material,- of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for handling ore andthe like and has for its principal object to provide a simple anddurable conveying apparatus for transporting loose material from oneplace to another as, for instance, in a mine.

In prior applications for patent, one bearing Serial Number 382,696,filed May 28, 1920, and another bearing Serial Number 460,865, filedApril 13, 1921, I have described an apparatus of the class abovedescribed comprising' a scraper and a movable frame adapted toform asupport about which said scraper is guided. In the present application Iutilize similar principles of construction and operation, but provide animproved construction which is particularly adapted for use underconditions where the material is mined progressively along narrowentries, or slices, as for instance, in iron ore mines. Under such. conditions I find it desirable to provide sup porting means for the headframe, or bearing frame, about which the scraper is moved which meanscomprises a plurality of supporting arms adapted to extend laterally andengage mine props, or the side walls of the slice or room. I alsoprovide an improved construction of head frame.

My invention may be best understood by referring to the accompanyingdrawings in whichFigure 1 is a top plan view of the head frame andsupporting means therefon Figure 2 is a view inside elevation. of theapparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section taken on line cl- 5 of Figure 2.

Figure 4.- is a detailed cross section of a clamping device for alateral. supporting arm. v

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detailed view of a clamp forming a portion ofthe advanc .ing means.

Figure 6 is a detailed view of one form of lateral supporting arm whichmay be used with my apparatus.

Figure 7 is a top plan view illustrating the use of the apparatus inamine.

.mounted at the forward end of the frame on a shaft 5. The forward endsof the frame members 2 and 3 are curved to conform. substantially withthe shape of the roller ff: and the side members 6, 6 and 7, 7,respectively, of said frame members 2 and 3 both converge rearwardly asshown in Figure 1 and are connected adjacent their rear ends by suitablevertical supports 8, S. A preferred means of mounting the roller 4: andthe shaft 5 on the frame is clearly shownin Figure 3 in which across-member 9 is connected to opposite lateral faces of the lower framemember 2 and is provided with a centrally disposed boss 10 in which thelower end of the shaft 5 is supported, and a similarly disposedcross-member 11 connects opposite faces of the upper frame member 3 andprovides support for the upper end of the shaft 5. The roller 4: isprovided with a hub 12 having an upper bearing sleeve 13 journaled onthe shaft, and a lower bearing sleeve 14 of larger diameter than theupper bearing and journaled on a collar 15 on the shaft. Said hub alsocarries a thrust bearing comprising an anti-friction ball bearing device16 interposed between a shoulder 16 on the hub, and a shoulder 18 on thecollar 15. A sleeve 19 having an annular recess 20 therein is mounted onthe upper end of the shaft 5 and is adapted to cooperate with an upWardly extending flange 21 formed on the hub 12 to provide a dust proofbearing. Similar means for excluding dust are provided at the lower end.of the hub 12 which means comprises an annular recess 22 formed in thehub, and an upwardly extend ing flange 23 mounted on the cross-member 9and extending into said recess as shown. The body portion 27 of roller 4is connected to hub 12 by suitable connecting pieces 24, 24; attached toflanges 25, 25 on said hub and to circular end pieces 26, 26 of theroller.

Referring now to the means for supporting the head frame 1 it will beseen that a guide beam 30, preferably formed of an I-beam section isarranged horizontally-and longitudinally above said head frame andconnected thereto by means affording rel ative longitudinal movementthereloetween. In the embodiment illustrated this connecting meanscomprises a pair of upright hangers 31, 31 connected to the frame andeach carrying thereon a pair of rollers 32, 32 engaging the under faceof the beam and a second pair of rollers 83, 33 adapted to engage theupper surface of the lower flange 34 of said beam. Means for affordingrelative movement of the-head frame comprises a ratchet devicepreferably mounted on the rear end of the head frame and provided with.an operating handle 41 extending rearwardly in position to be readilyoperated. A flexible chain 12 is trained over the ratchet device and isattached to the beam 30 preferably by means of an adjustable clampingdevice 43, details of which are shown in Figure 5. This clamping devicecomprises a pair of inwardly extending jaws 44, 44: adapted to engagethe lower flange 34 of the I-beam and movable thereon. The chain 42 isattached to a lever arm 45 pivotally connected to said clamping memberand provided with a cam surface 46 which is brought into clampingengagement with the beam flange 34. when tension is applied to the chain42. By means of this clamping arrangement just described the position ofthe chain 412 may be readily changed to any desired point along the beam'30. Supporting means for the beam 30 comprises a plurality of arms 5.0,5.0 extending laterally therefrom and provided with end pieces 51 havingsuitable means for engaging mine props or the like. In Figure 1 theseend pieces comprise a longitudinally disposed member having a concaveouter face particularly adapted to engage a mine prop. In Figure 6another form ofengaging means is shown which comprises a convex plate 52having projections thereon particularly adapted to engage the side wallof the mine. Each of the arms are pivotally connected to a clamp 5%having longitudinal movement along the upper flange 35 .of the beam 30and adapted to be secured in place thereon by suitable means such as ascrew 55 carried by a clamp and provided with a handle 56. Said arms 50are preferably connected to the clamp 54 by means of a ren'lova'blc pin57 having a handle 58 for removing the same.

The use and operation of the device described will be readily understoodby 111"- erences to- Figures 7 and 8 which show a typical installationof the apparatus in a mine.

A room or entry having a top wall 60, bottom wall 61, and side walls 62,62 is shown as being extended longitudinally by advancing the workingface 63 at one end thereof. The material is dislodged or shot down fromthe working face 63 into a pile-of loose material indicated at 64.Suitable miuc props as indicated at 65, 65 are provided as the miningwork progresses. In order to remove the loose material, my apparatus ispositioned with the head frame 1 resting on the mine floor adjacent thefront edge or toe of the pile 64. The guide-beam 30 comprising part ofthe supporting means is arranged in line with the direction in which theloading operation is to proceed, .it being preferable, in commencing theloading operation, to have the forward end thereof extending in advanceof the head frame 1. The beam 30 is secured in place by means of thelaterally extending arms 50, 50 which may be adjusted to any desiredposition. therealong by means of the clamps 51-, 51', so as to engagethe ends of the arms with the mine props 65. 65, to hold the guide beamsubstantially rigid. A scraper 70 having a head rope 71 and a tail rope72, connected with a suitable hoisting device (not shown) for operatingthe same, is arranged so as to he reciprocably moved about the forwardend of the head frame 1 and be directed into the pile of loose material64: to gather a load. A preferred form of scraper for this purpose isshown in the drawings and has been described in my two pending ap'ilicalions already referred to above. One side of said scraper engageswith the roller at while passing around the front end of the head frameat which portion of its ourncy the greatest resistance is usuallyencountered, viz, while the scraper is gathering its load. The headframe 1 is advanced as fast as the material is removed from the forward.edge of the pile (it. so as to maintain the scraper in proper positionto gather a load each time it moves about the head frame. The head frameis advanred by means of the ratchet device 4-0 operated by the handle1-1 and connected with the chain 42 extending forward to the clamp 1-3,in the manner already described. hen the head frame 1 approaches theforno ward end of the guide beam 30 during the progress of the work,said beam is advanced to a new position. by disengaging the supportingarms 50., 50. and rolling the beam 30 forwardly the desired distance.where it again secm'ed in Pllll'fl by tightening llw. lateral supportingarms 50, Fill in the new position. The position of the clamp 43,associated with the ratchet device, may also be changed as desired alongthe beam 30. .lziu

In case the apparatus is used under con-- ditions where it preferable toour; go one or more of the supporting arms 50 with the side walls 62.(32 rather than with a mine prop it will be understood that an arm hav-1T ing an end piece 52 as shown in lljgurc l) may be substituted for thearm having end piece 51 as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

An apparatus constructed as above do scribed presents several practicaladvantages. 1111) The arrangement of lateral supporting arms affords arigid support for the head frame, which is particularly desirable inthis type of loading device, which must withstand great lateralpressures. It is particularly adapted for use in places having a highroof such as illustrated in Figure 8, under which conditions it is oftenimpracticable to provide supports extending to the roof. The lateralsupporting arms are readily adjustable so as to suit varying conditionsas to position of props, width of place, etc. Said arms extend above thepath of movement of the scraper so as not to interfere with its leadingoperation. The head frame 1 is readily advanced with respect to theguide beam 30 and, on the other hand, the guide beam 30, together withits lateral arms, may be easily advanced with respect to the frame whenthe beam is moved to a new position by reason of the arrangement of therollers on the head frame 1, which provide a vertical support for saidbeam while it is being so advanced.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to cover byLetters Patent is:

1. In combination with a draft operated scraper, a frame having a curvedforward portion adapted to provide a lateral bearing for said scraperand means extending laterally above said curved bearing portion forsupporting said frame with respect to fixed abutments.

2. In combination with a draft operated scraper, a frame having a curvedforward portion adapted to provide a lateral hearing for said scraper,means extending laterally above said curved bearing portion forsupporting said frame with respect to fixed abutments, and meansaffording longitudinal movement of said frame with respect to saidsupporting means.

3. In combination with a draft operated scraper, a frame having a curvedforward portion adapted. to provide a lateral bearing for said scraper,and means affording lateral support for said frame comprising aplurality of arms connected with said frame and adapted to extendlaterally above said curved bearing portion.

4;. In combination with a draft operated scraper, a frame having avcurved forward poi-(ion. adapted to provide a lateral bearing for saidscraper, and a supporting member provided with a plurality of armsadapted to extend laterally above said curved bearing portion.

In combination with a draft operated scraper, a frame having a curvedforward portion adapted to provide a lateral bearing for said scraper, asupporting member pro vided with a plurality of arms adapted to extendlaterally above said curved bearing portion, and means affordinglongitudinal arms adapted to extend laterally above said u curvedbearing portion, said arms being adjustable longitudinally with respectto said supporting member.

8. In combination with a draft operated scraper, a frame having a curvedforward portion adapted to provide a lateral bearing for said scraper, asupporting member provided with a plurality of hinged arms adapted toextend laterally above said curved bearing portion, said arms beingadjustable longitudinally with respect to said supporting member, andmeans affording longitudinal movement of said frame with respect to saidsupporting member.

9. In combination with a draft operated scraper, a frame having a curvedforward portion adapted to provide a lateral bearing for said scraper, asupporting member comprising a horizontal disposed beam. a plurality ofarms connected to said beam and adapted to extend laterally above saidframe, guide means affording longitudinal movement of said framerespective to said beam, and means for advancing said frame along saidbeam.

10. In combination with a draftoperated scraper, a frame having a curvedportion adapted to provide a lateral bearing for said scraper, asupporting member comprising a horizontally disposed, flanged beam, aplurality of hinged arms adjustable along the upper flange of said. beamand adapted to extend laterally above said frame, and guide meansaffording longitudinal movement of said frame respective to said beamcomprising a plurality of antifriction members engaging the lower flangeof said beam.

11. In combination with a draft operated. scraper, a frame provided withvertically disposed roller at one end thereof adapted to form a lateralbearing for said scraper, a supporting member for said frame providedwith a plurality of arms adapted to extend laterally above said roller,and means affording longitudinal movement "of said. frame and rollerrespective to said support ing member.

12. In combination with a frame adapted to afford lateral bearing for adraft operated llO scraper, a plurality of arms adapted to extendlaterally above said frame, and means on the ends of said arms forengaging adjacent fixed abutments.

18. In combination with a frame adapted to afford lateral bearing for adraft operated scraper, a plurality of arms adapted to ex tend laterallyabove said frame, and means on the ends of said arms for engaging ad-'acent fixed abutments, comprising a member having a substantiallyconcave outer face.

14. In combination with a frame adapted to afford lateral bearing for adraft operated scraper, a plurality of arms adapted to extend laterallyabove said frame, and means on the ends of said arms for engagingadjacent fixed abutments, comprising amember having a substantiallyconvex outer face.

15. In combination with a frame adapted to afford lateral bearing for adraft operated scrape-r, a plurality of arms adapted to extend laterallyabove said frame, and means on the ends of said arms for engagingadjacent fixed abutments, comprising a member having a substantiallyconvex outer face provided with projections thereon.

16. In combination with a frame adapted to afford lateral bearing for adraft operated scraper, a supporting member for said frame, a pluralityof arms adapted to extend laterally from said supporting member toengage fixedabutments, and means for fixing said arms at variouspositions along said supporting means.

17. In combination with a frame member adapted to operate on the ground,and affording lateral bearing for a draft opersaid guide members,comprising a plurality of hangers carried by one of said members andhaving oppositely disposed anti-friction rollers engaging upwardly and,downwardly facing bearing surfaces carried by the other of said members.

18. In an apparatus of the class described, a head, frame adapted tooperate on the ground, and comprising lower and. upper frame membersvertically spared apart, a vertically disposed roller mounted. at theforward end of said frame adapted to provide lateral bearing for a draftoperated scraper, and means connected with the upper frame member forsupporting said head frame and roller against lateral movement. 19. Inan apparatus of the class described a head frame adapted to operate onthe ground, and comprising lower and upper frame members verticallyspaced apart, a vertically disposed shaft mounted on and extendingbetween said. upper and lower frame members, and provided with a collar,a roller mounted on said shaft having a thrust bearing engaging saidshaft collar, said roller being adapted to provide lateral bearing for adraft operated. scraper, and means connected with the upper frame memberfor supporting the head frame and roller against lateral movement.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 26th day of July, 1921.

CHARLES E. DAVIS.

